Chapter 12%
The unspoken rule was clear: I couldn’t be around alcohol or stay alone with someone so emotionally unstable.
Mrs. Stall hesitated before quietly tiptoeing to the door and knocking.%
A sudden crash–like a broken bottle–startled her%
“Gerry, Luna is here” she called gently.%
Silence stretched for a moment before the door creaked open.%
When Gerry saw me, his eyes suddenly brightened.%
“Luna““%
In just half a year, he had become thinner, worn and haggard, Dark circles shadowed his eyes, his beard was unkempt–he no longer resembled the once–flamboyant Mr. Stall.%
“Luna, you came to see me? L… I’ve missed you so much.” His voice cracked with emotion. “Over the past months, I went to the Sigmund Family’s doorstep countless times, but they wouldn’t let me in. Darren kept me away…“%
His gaze was nervous, his tone desperate and wounded.%
I cut him off coldly, calm and resolute.%
“It’s me who doesn’t want to see you“%
His words caught and fell silent.%
I met his eyes steadily.%
“Gerry, I don’t want to see you anymore. I don’t love you. My heart belongs to Darren now and we’re happy together. I don’t want anyone or anything from the past to disrupt my life–not you, your mother, or even my biological parents“%
After a long pause, he forced a bitter, wry smile. His words came out softly, like a soliloquy more than a conversation.%
“Niana’s child is gone. I’ve cut all ties with her. She gained nothing from me.”%
“Luna… why? Why can’t you forgive me?“%
I didn’t want to engage with his pain. My phone buzzed persistently in my hand, so I gave him one last statement before turning away.%
“The Stall Family is in crisis. I’ve arranged for Darren to leave this villa to you and your mother as a place to stay–consider it my way of repaying Mrs. Stall for saving my life. Beyond that, I have no more ties to the Stall Family.“%
I turned my back, answered my phone and walked away.
Darren’s worried voice came through the line, tinged with resentment.%
“Honey, why didn’t you tell me you were meeting Gerry? What if something happened?“%
I chuckled softly and reassured him.%
“Alright, I’m coming out now. Are you waiting at the door?“%
His eamest voice replied instantly.%
“Of course I’m here!“%
(The End)%
